While the dam building is not new and its roots can be traced back to 4th- 3d centuries B.C., throughout the history of the development, it underwent huge changes. The majority of them were introduced in the 20th century, which was not so long ago.
That’s what old school dam building was like in 1900
One hundred years ago, this is how they dug dams. With lots of horsepower.
Irrigation was important for the Agriculture sector back then that was the main driver for the Australian economy.
And also, these days – compaction rollers are known as ‘Sheepfoot rollers’.
That’s because, back in the day, they dug the dam and herded sheep into the dam to pack it down. The weight on a small hoof area compacts the soil very effectively.
Adding to this, the weather conditions were not plesant all the time, thus posing a huge challenge to these brave men.
Despite the fact that at some points the work was easier as there was much less red tape and the climate was more favorable, the lack of modern technologies made works last longer and the very tasks more exhausting for old school dam building professionals. Besides, there were no professional dam services as there are now.
Hats off to these pioneers.
They were hard men who did hard work in hard conditions.